Don's Gillette's Weekly Wine Blog
Weekly musings from our store's resident wine guru
Don has over thirty years experience in the wine industry. For the last eighteen years his attention has been focused on the growing local industry. Don has a large following of customers who search out his opinions (never in short supply!) on new releases and on what's currently most distinctive on our shelves. Others seek his insights on wineries and trends that are still under the radar. Check back here each week for Don's latest thoughts on various wine-related topics. Read Don's full bio...
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Zapped Again - Part Two
Here is the complete list of NVWE 2008 Zap Tasting "Group" favorites (I have left out some fine wines that only one of us tasted). Wines are broken into their respective categories and the "group favorites" are in Bold Face, while GV indicates "fine value." Not all of these wines are currently released, but those with * are now available, or will soon be. We will track the release dates of the others, so our customers don't miss out!
The Usual Suspects:
2005 Adobe Road, Sonoma County
2006 Atelier, Alexander Valley *
2005 August Briggs, Napa Valley
2005 Bluenose, Dry Creek Valley GV *
2006 Brown Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley *
2006 C G Dairie, Amador GV
2006 Charter Oak, Napa Valley *
2005 Clos LaChance Estate, Central Coast GV
2005 Cloud Nine Seity Vineyard 1869, Amador County
2005 Dashe Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
2006 Davis Estate, Russian River Valley
2005 Deloach Forgotten Vines, Sonoma County
2005 Folie a Deux Winery Medusa-Henry's House, Amador County
2005 Frank Family, Napa Valley
2006 Gamba, Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley *
2006 Gamba, Russian River Valley
2005 Klinker Brick Old Ghost, Lodi
2006 Mantra, OV Reserve, Alexander Valley
2005 Mauritson Family, Cemetary Vineyard, Rockpile
2005 Medusa, Pig Pen Vineyard, Amador County
2006 Outpost Estate, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
2006 Saxon Brown, Parmelee-Hill Stonewall, Sonoma Valley
2004 Storrs, Lion Oaks Vineyard, Santa Clara County
2005 Tin Barn, Dalrady Vineyard, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley
2005 Terraces, Quarry Vineyards, Napa Valley, Rutherford *
2005 Truchard, Estate, Carneros
New or Obscure, but Noteworthy:
2005 Bella Vetta, Jack's Cabin, Rockpile *
2006 Benovia Cohn Vineyard, Russian River Valley
2006 Five Mile Bridge, Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles
2005 GiaDomella, E. Passalacqua Heritage Estate, Russian River Valley
2005 JR Wines, Big Dave's Vineyard, Brown Estate, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley
2005 Paul Dolan, Mendocino County/Amador County
2005 Rielle, Sonoma County
2004 Sharp, Hailey's Creek, Sonoma County
2005 Shippey Vineyards, Rocking Z, Bradford Mountain, Dry Creek Valley
2006 Sol Ridge, Tom Feeney Russian River Valley
2005 Starlight, Vineyards Alexander Valley Estate *
Ringers:
2006 Charter Oak, Petite Sirah Napa Valley *
2006 Dashe, Zinfandel Late Harvest
2005 Davis Family, Zinfandel Port
2005 Rotta, Zinfandel Port, California